Schützenbergmoor near Oberhof
A wonderful hike from the Hotel Thüringenschanze
Hike: medium difficulty – no major differences in altitude to overcome
Round hike hotel and back: length approx. 9.5 km incl. visit to the Schützenbergmoor
We recommend a packed lunchfor on the way . Please order this in advance. Cost per person: € 6. Refreshment stops are limited on this route.
If you still have time at the end of the tour, you should definitely plan a detour to the Rennsteiggarten Oberhof. The botanical garden for high mountain flora offers wonderful views over the Thuringian Forest and more than 4,000 different plant species from all over the world. The final highlight is a coffee break at Café Enzian with its home-baked cakes. The tempting aroma will guide you from afar.
Moors in the Thuringian Forest
Compared to some other low mountain ranges, such as the neighbouring Rhön, the Thuringian Forest has relatively few moorlands to offer. We would like to introduce you to two of the six existing moors, as they are located in the central Thuringian Forest and therefore in the immediate vicinity of Oberhof and the Rennsteig. These are the Schützenberg high moor and the Beerberg moor.
Description of the Schützenbergmoor
With approx. 4 hectares of peat and 1.4 hectares of open moorland, the Schützenbergmoor is the smallest of the six important moors on the ridge of the Thuringian Forest and is located at 890 metres above sea level.
It receives annual precipitation of 1,250 mm and the average annual temperature is 5°C. It was formed around 8,000 years ago, i.e. after the last ice age. It should be noted that raised bogs such as this one are pure rain moors, which have nothing to do with altitude and only form in areas with high precipitation. Over thousands of years, the silting up of groundwater depressions, their vegetation and the associated peat formation first created fens, from which the resulting peat grew out of the groundwater and then, as raised bogs, were mainly fed by rainwater.
In September 1967, the Schützenbergmoor, which was partially drained in the 19th century due to peat extraction and forestry use, was given the status of a nature reserve and has recently been made accessible to visitors with a billet trail and an informative information point.
The moor has a specific flora and fauna which, although relatively species-poor, is nevertheless very interesting. The nutrient-poor and acidic soil is home to various mosses, dwarf shrubs and grasses. In terms of wildlife, you will mainly find insects such as beetles, bugs, dragonflies and spiders. You can also admire amphibians, shrews and the siskin.
Hike from Hotel Thüringenschanze Oberhof to Schützenbergmoor
Our hiking tip takes you to the Schützenberg high moor. Before the Hotel Thüringenschanze, turn right towards the tourist information centre. Starting from the Oberhof tourist information centre, the route takes you across the town square and then right up Tambacher Straße.
After approx. 200 metres, turn left into Jägerstraße and walk in the direction of Harzwald. The forest path is straight ahead. Follow the path towards the crossroads at Stein 16, where the Rennsteig and the Zellaer Leube cross. Follow this in the direction of Veilchenbrunnen. After approx. 1.5 km you will arrive at the Schützenberghochmoor. Take your time and let nature work its magic on you. An immensely grounding pastime.
Return via Rondell and Rennsteiggarten
After the short loop across the moor, return to the Zellaer Leube and follow it to the Veilchenbrunnen fountain. From here you come to the mountain inn of the same name, then turn left onto the Rhön-Rennsteig trail and follow it to the roundabout. Here it is worth making a detour to the Oberhof Rennsteiggarten, which has numerous beautiful mountain plants from all continents. Passing the old golf meadow, you then return to the town centre and from there back to our hotel.
